SALINAS, Calif. — The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) and the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) today announced they have extended the deadline of a new well registration program that was established to better understand and protect groundwater resources in the Salinas Valley. All well owners are asked to register their wells for free by March 31, 2026.

The program is part of a statewide requirement under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which calls for all groundwater basins to be monitored to ensure long-term sustainability for all users. 

Nearly 200 residential wells have been registered since the program launched in November 2025, but many more active and inactive wells exist and could be tracked. 

“We encourage private well owners to participate because their wells are often the first at risk when groundwater levels drop,” said Ara Azhderian, MCWRA general manager. “Having a record of well locations helps us ensure local management decisions protect these wells and the people who depend on them.”

Residential wells are typically more shallow than agricultural or municipal wells, making them more susceptible to going dry when groundwater levels fall. Accurate data on where these wells are located helps local agencies better understand and manage groundwater resources, otherwise local agencies may be managing for the wrong conditions.

“Better data leads to better protection for our shared water,” said Piret Harmon, SVBGSA general manager. “Our goal to ensure our local decisions are backed by solid local data.”

Under the legal requirements of SGMA, every groundwater basin in California must account for all groundwater users and uses. Well registration is a critical step in building that understanding. MCWRA and SVBGSA are partnering to improve the collection and storage of regional groundwater data through the Groundwater Monitoring Program (GMP). 

The GMP includes well registration, along with groundwater level, groundwater pumping and groundwater quality monitoring for seawater intrusion. This data will help refine groundwater models, improve monitoring accuracy, and inform the sustainable management plans that guide local decision-making.

A recorded webinar about the well registration program, along with more information about the program, is available online. To view the materials and to register your well, visit https://svbgsa.org/gmp/. 

About the Monterey County Water Resources Agency
The Monterey County Water Resources Agency manages water resources sustainably while minimizing impacts from flooding for present and future generations. Prior to being formally established in 1991, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) was the Monterey County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, established in 1947 and organized as a division of the Public Works Department of the County of Monterey. MCWRA provides services related to the control of flood and storm waters in Monterey County, conservation, protection of water quality, reclamation of water and the exchange of water. It is a regional leader in water resource management through demonstrated knowledge, integrity and the quality of its actions. Learn more: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/government-links/water-resources-agency.

About the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) is dedicated to protecting and sustaining groundwater resources that support the people, communities and economy of Monterey County. Groundwater is essential not only for agriculture to thrive, but also for homes, businesses and the environment. Through the development and implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans for each of six subbasins in the Salinas Valley, SVBGSA is advancing projects and management actions that address critical challenges — from enhancing groundwater recharge and halting seawater intrusion to improving water efficiency and promoting collaborative basin-wide planning. 

Established in 2017 under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, SVBGSA is committed to inclusive, science-based decision-making and active community engagement to ensure a reliable groundwater future for all users in the Salinas Valley. Learn more at www.svbgsa.org and on Facebook and Instagram.